Category Archives: Buildings

Recently, insurance agent, Tamara Potter, contacted us about doing some work on her new office in Rose Hill, Kansas. Though she was only moving across the street, the new space needed a significant overhaul. In just a few weeks, we took one large area and turned it into a functional office space with unique accent features.

The renovated building is located in the commercial retail space owned by Dopps Chiropractic. We started by constructing walls, turning the large open area, once inhabited by the Rose Hill Martial Arts Academy, into an office environment complete with rooms, check-in area, cubicle space, and storage. We used Barn wood treated with a clear poly sealer and Formica counter tops.

The rustic look is consistent with the layout of Dopps Chiropractic of Rose Hill, located on the opposite end. In fact, Dr. Michael Manley was kind enough to donate the pre-hung cabinets located throughout the office.

When we designed the layout, we were mindful about keeping the front area bright and open for visitors, yet still giving employees a quiet space to work. The ample main office features a pane of one-way glass, more custom cabinetry, cedar work, and wainscoting.

Next week, the busy remodel continues as the walls get a coat of paint and the floor is covered with new carpet and laminate.

If you have a space that needs to be overhauled in your home or office, contact Jeff Downey for a quote today (316) 648-5693.

Gary Brewer recently purchased a hot tub even though he didn’t have a permanent home or enclosure for it yet. Gary admits it was a closeout deal that he just couldn’t pass up so he tucked the tub away until he had time to plan exactly where to put it. When it was time to start working on his backyard oasis, he knew exactly who to call, Jeff Downey.

“Jeff is a pretty crafty,” Gary said when talking about the initial design for the hot tub enclosure. “I told him what I wanted, then he sketched it out and made it happen.” This was the third project that Downey Buildings had worked on, previously building a garage and another structure for the Brewer family. Even though Gary knew Downey could handle the hot tub enclosure, he was still beyond satisfied with the finished project saying, “Jeff is real thorough and does a good job. I love it.”

Gary’s unique hot tub enclosure was built just off the deck near the pool area. The enclosure is a wood frame structure made of 6 inch cedar dolly varden lap siding with cedar fascia and soffits. The progress pictures below show how the entire structure was then sealed and stained in a warm rich varnish.

Custom hot tub enclosure building built by Downey Buildings

As a Wichita business owner, (Bear Automotive and Doggy Day Care), Gary knows the importance of doing a job right the first time and what it takes to create satisfied customers. Jeff Downey does too. “He really does have your best interests at heart,” Gary said. “He strives to make people happy.” As a self-described, “entertainer,” Gary is pretty excited that the hot tub enclosure is complete. “It’s almost summer. Now I gotta have some people over.”

Dow Con, Inc. wins 2013 SIPA Building Excellence Award for an agricultural building built for Brock Beran. Dow Con built the building which was designed by Brock Beran, DowCon and Energy Panel Structures. This 6,000 sq. ft. agricultural shop in Derby, Kansas uses 8-inch SIP walls to reduce operating costs. Tall SIPs were installed vertically, saving a tremendous amount of time and labor costs. The judges commented on the attractive architectural detailing, such as the functional hay loft door, cupolas, awnings, and stonework around the perimeter.

The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) recognized eight homes and commercial buildings that utilized structural insulated panels (SIPs) to reach energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable design goals with the 2013 SIPA Building Excellence Awards. The winners were recognized during the Building Excellence Awards ceremony on April 3, 2013 at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Conference in Tucson, Arizona.

Now in its eleventh year, the SIPA Building Excellence Awards highlight innovative projects using SIPs as the basis for energy-efficient, green buildings. All submissions used SIPs for at least 50 percent of the building envelope. Entries were evaluated on energy efficiency, design and structural engineering innovation, environmental sustainability, and creative use of SIP construction.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are high performance building panels used in floors, walls, and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings. The panels are typically made by sandwiching a core of closed-cell rigid foam plastic insulation between two structural skins of oriented strand board (OSB). Depending on the size and needs of the structure, the thickness of the foam is adjusted to increase R-value.

The structural characteristics of SIPs are similar to that of a steel I-Beam. The OSB skins act as the flange of the I-beam, while the rigid foam core provides the web. This design gives SIPs an advantage at handling in plane compressive loads. SIPs can be engineered for most applications.

Compared to a conventional shop or storage building, an EPS Solid Core building can reduce your energy costs up to 50%.

We offer broad custom design capabilities including larger clear spans up to 100′ wide and 24′ tall, vaulted ceilings, solid exterior and interior OSB or plywood sheeting and interior liner options of steel or FRP, closed cell foam walls to stop the transfer of moisture that results in rust and corrosion and better acoustics for a quieter building.